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The moral benefits of Taekwondo include development of good character, self-control, and a non-violent attitude. Taekwondo stresses showing respect for oneself, fellow students, instructors, parents, elders, and members of the public. Achieving proficiency in Taekwondo techniques demands patience, perseverance, and a desire for perfection.

Humility is a quality of all serious Taekwondo students. Although practicing Taekwondo boosts self-confidence, this does not convey a false sense of superiority. On the contrary, a good student should be humble and considerate. Taekwondo practitioners have the highest regard for the morality and ethics of Taekwondo.

Psychologically, Taekwondo reduces tension and anxiety by teaching students to control aggression and by giving them a healthy way to vent hostility and frustration. Taekwondo is a psychological leveler. Students with quick, hot tempers learn to control their emotions. Students who are meek and mild learn to be more assertive when needed. The following are possible ways Taekwondo may affect the psychologies of students:

• Personality factors may cause people to select and participate in a particular sport. People tend to choose sports that most suit their personality. Beginner and advanced Taekwondo students will exhibit similar personalities.

• There may be no similarities of personality for choosing a particular sport, but either personality changes or loss of non-desirable personality traits means that only those with suitable psychologies remain and are successful. In this respect, choosing Taekwondo as a sport may be random, but either Taekwondo changes your personality or only students with suitable personalities will keep training. This means beginners may not show a similar personality traits, but advanced students tend to have similar traits.

• The choice of a sport is random, and the sport may not have any effect. In this case, Taekwondo may have no effect on the personalities of the students and neither beginners nor advanced students show any pattern in their personalities.

• Those entering a sport may show similar personalities, but changes and attrition may cause the pattern to become non-discriminating. In this case, students may choose Taekwondo because it suits their personality, but changes and dropouts will be random, so beginners will show a similar pattern of personality while advanced students will not.

A 1967 study by Kroll and Carlson, Discriminant function and hierarchical grouping analysis of karate participants' personality profiles, in Research Quarterly, noted that combat sports may provide a chance to display prowess or masculinity, to develop self-confidence, release tension, and reduce aggression. Karate (Taekwondo) is suggested as having several advantages as a combat physical education system in that:

• Women may participate.

• As method of self-defense, it may be considered superior to amateur boxing or wrestling.

• It effectively develops certain muscular strengths.

• Emphasis on wholesome character attributes and etiquette help reduce asocial tendencies.

Taekwondo develops leadership qualities. As students increase in rank, they are required to take on more responsibilities in class and they begin teaching new students. When they reach black belt level, they may be required to teach classes and direct students. During camps, they are required to lead group of students and be responsible for their actions.

Taekwondo is an artistic discipline that allows artistic expression. There are strict standards for the performance of techniques but there is still some latitude for self-expression. Although patterns (prearranged series of movements and actions) and specific striking and defensive techniques must be performed in specific ways, students have some leeway to perform them in ways that express their individuality. Taekwondo movements and techniques express beauty and grace and allow students to strive continuously to develop and improve their artistic presentation.

Taekwondo may help control juvenile delinquency. Studies have shown it lessens aggression, lessens anxiety, increases self-esteem, increases social adroitness (improved social skills), and increases in value orthodoxy (greater awareness of moral and social obligation.

Taekwondo demands self-discipline, mental concentration, and alertness. Correct technical execution of techniques requires rhythm, timing, balance, power, proper form, and proper breathing. To achieve this, students must develop self-disciple, stay focused, and ignore distractions. Students learn that self-discipline means doing things the right way and that being undisciplined means looking for the easy way out. Students are encouraged to practice self-discipline in all areas of their lives.

Taekwondo is an educational experience. Students learn about their own abilities and limitations and how to deal with those limitations. Students learn to relate with people of all ages from various socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural, and racial backgrounds through their training in Taekwondo. Students also learn the philosophy of Taekwondo and a limited amount Korean history, culture, and language.

A 2003 study has found that children who jump everyday increase their bone density, which may help prevent bone loss later in life. When a child jumps, the bones flex, which triggers them to increase their density. The study found that children who jump five times three times a day had a significant increase in bone density. So, when children are doing jumping jacks in Taekwondo class and are practicing jump kicks, they are getting stronger and perfecting their techniques but they are also helping prevent bone loss in the later years of their lives.

A study in the April 2004 issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that a dynamic martial arts workout is just as effect as any other balanced workout. The study compared nine people who worked out twice a week in Soo Bahk Do with nine sedentary people of similar ages, blood pressure, and resting heart rates. The martial artists had markedly better strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic capacity. The martial artists could do twice and many sit-ups and three times as many pushups as the sedentary group. The sedentary group had 12 percent more body fat and could hold their balance an average of only 26 seconds compared to the 62 seconds of the martial artists.

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